The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has alleged that the Federal Government is working to prevent him from contesting the 2027 presidential election.
Obi made the claim on Friday while speaking at a leadership programme organised by the NextGen Mentorship and Leadership Initiative at Madonna University, Okija, in Anambra State.
According to the former Anambra State governor, powerful forces within government are determined to keep him off the ballot, but he remains focused on his political ambition.
“If you know what they are doing to ensure that I’m not on the ballot in 2027, you will be surprised. The Nigerian government is doing everything to ensure that I do not contest in this election, but I’m not looking at the obstacles. I’m focused on the destination,” he said.
Obi’s comments came in the wake of Friday’s judgment by the Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, which set aside an earlier ruling directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the NDC as a political party.
Despite the court’s decision, Obi insisted that neither the ruling nor any alleged political pressure would stop his presidential ambition.
“They cannot stop me. They will fail. It is not the end of the road. We are committed to democracy, and those trying to destroy it are hurting the country. I have confidence that I will pull through because the will of the people must prevail,” he said.
The former governor also challenged President Bola Tinubu and other presidential hopefuls to a public debate on their plans for Nigeria.
Obi said his desire to contest the presidency was driven by a commitment to rebuild the country rather than personal ambition.
“I’m not desperate to be President; I’m desperate to see Nigeria work. Go and obtain your PVC. Don’t vote for me because I’m Igbo. Vote for me because I’m the most qualified,” he said.
He added that he envisioned a Nigeria where opportunities would be available to every citizen regardless of ethnic or religious background, arguing that the North would be among the biggest beneficiaries of his administration if elected.
Reacting, the All Progressives Congress (APC) dismissed Obi’s allegations and urged him to stop attacking democratic institutions.
The party’s National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, said the former governor should challenge any grievance through the courts instead of blaming President Tinubu for the judicial outcome.
“He cannot be seeking to rule Nigeria and at the same time undermining one of the key institutions of democracy. The judiciary must be respected whether its judgment is in your favour or against you,” Basiru said.
He noted that the same court had earlier ordered INEC to register the NDC before subsequently setting aside its judgment to allow all interested parties to be heard.
Basiru argued that the court acted within the law and advised Obi to pursue legal remedies rather than drag the President into the matter.